Film cutter

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/960,238, filed Oct. 7, 2004 now abandoned.

The present invention generally relates to a shrink wrap packaging apparatus and in particular to an apparatus for cutting shrink wrap film prior to the shrink wrapping operation.

In single roll shrink wrapping, a single sheet of shrink wrap film is wrapped around the product and into a tubular form. The overlapping lateral edges are located beneath the product and are sealed or otherwise joined together. During shrinking in a heat tunnel, the longitudinal edges of the shrink wrap film collapse against the ends of the product creating bullseye-type openings.

Various deficiencies exist in prior shrink wrap packaging and the methods of its fabrication. The single sheet of shrink wrap film was typically cut from a supply roll of the film. A common manner to cut the sheet from the web of film was to engage the film with a hot iron to melt the film and thus sever the sheet from the film. This hot iron is a high wear component and is always a source of operational problems. Another approach is to utilize a rotary blade which cuts the film. However, this approach experienced problems that the new leading edge of the web of film did not continue to follow the desired path of the film as a result of the velocity of the film and air resistance, the memory of the film, and/or the snap back of the film when the tension was released on the film because of cutting. These problems were overcome by cutting the film while the film is held across the cut and/or by including mechanical devices which grasp and pull the new leading edge, but such approaches unduly complicated the construction of the apparatus. Thus, there continues to be a need for feeding the film after a sheet is cut from the free end thereof which overcomes the deficiencies of the current approaches.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,662 (Struges et. al.), herein incorporated by reference, discloses an apparatus and methods for producing shrink wrap packaging. However, the Struges patent does not fully overcome the deficiencies of prior approaches, particularly in the area of cutting the film. Struges requires a vacuum table at the exit from the nip rollers to hold the film for further processing. The vacuum table is an expensive and complex piece of equipment which is not necessary for lower-speed operation. In addition, Struges requires a cutting blade that cuts tie strips into the film that allow the trailing edge of a single sheet of film which is downstream from the cut to remain connected to a new leading edge for the web of film which is upstream from the cut, so that the single sheet of film remains attached to the web of film thereby pulling the leading edge of the web of film toward and through the downstream pinch rollers 14 and 15 and to maintain tension of film between the upstream pinch rollers 12 and 13 and the downstream pinch rollers 14 and 15 and to ensure that the new leading edge of the web of film follows the desired path to the downstream pinch rollers.

The present invention overcomes the above deficiencies. It defines novel and non-obvious enhancements over the device described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/960,238. In particular, it needs only a single nip roller pair rather than two roller pairs, it eliminates the need to keep tension on the film with the accompanying required programming complexity, it lessens snap-back of the film, and it eliminates folding-over the film by the second roller pair. Furthermore, the apparatus feeds the film so precisely even after it is cut, that the invention eliminates the need for an air knife to direct the new cut edge of the film into the rollers.

A cutting apparatus cuts shrink wrap film residing in a roll. The apparatus includes a first roller pair receiving the film from the roll and carrying the film away from the roll and without the need for a second roller pair to receive the cut sheet of film. Film snap-back is prevented by cutting the film between a shear deck with teeth and a rotating blade with teeth intermeshing with the teeth of the shear deck. A method for cutting a sheet of shrink wrap film, includes: feeding the film into a first roller pair; and cutting the film between the first roller pair and the second roller pair using a rotating knife with a number of teeth intermeshing with a shear bar with teeth.

A principal object and advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates the expense and complication of a vacuum table.

Another principal object and advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates tie strips cut into some kinds of film to feed the film into the second roller pair and maintain film tension.

Another principal object and advantage of the present invention is that it uses a single roller pair to pull the film from the roll and to hold the film as it is cut.

Another principal object and advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates the need for a second roller pair.

Another principal object and advantage of the present invention is that it does not need a stream of air to guide the leading edge of the film into a second roller pair.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-section taken at approximately the lines 4 in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken at approximately the lines 7 of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 6 with some structure cut away.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken at approximately the lines 9 of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 11 is a detailed view shown at the dashed circle in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is a schematic of the embodiment of FIG. 6 .

The present invention is a cutting apparatus and method for cutting shrink wrap film and is generally shown in the drawings as reference numeral 10 .

In one embodiment, the apparatus 10 comprises a first roller pair 12 adapted to receive the film F from its roll (not shown) and to carry the film F away from the roll. The apparatus 10 further comprises a second roller pair 14 adapted to receive the sheet of film F from the first roller pair 12 and carry the film F away from the first roller pair 12 . The apparatus 10 further comprises a mechanism in the preferred form of air nozzles 16 for providing an air stream adapted to direct the leading edge E of the film F into the second roller pair 14 . The apparatus 10 further comprises a mechanism 18 for regulating the pressure exerted by the second roller pair 14 against the sheet of film F thereby maintaining tension on the film F between the first roller pair 12 and the second roller pair 14 . The apparatus 10 further comprises a rotating blade 20 adapted to cut the film F as the film F exits the first roller pair 12 , thereby producing a cut sheet of film.

In one embodiment, the second roller pair 14 further comprises a driven roller 14 A and a non-driven roller 14 B engaging the driven roller 14 A. A further mechanism presses the non-driven roller 14 B against the driven roller 14 A and producing a variable pressure between the non-driven roller 14 B and the driven roller 14 A. The first roller pair 12 may also comprise a driven roller 12 A and a non-driven roller 12 B. The driven roller 12 A, 14 A in each pair 12 , 14 is preferably belt driven by a servomotor 23 . The first roller pair 12 preferably has the non-driven roller 12 B pressed against the driven roller 12 A by air pressure. This air pressure can be set by the operator to consistently pull the film F from the roll without slippage, depending on the thickness and quality of the film F. Each driven roller 12 A, 14 A includes relief grooves 27 , with the relief grooves 27 of the driven roller 12 A being axially aligned with the relief grooves 27 of the driven roller 14 A as shown in FIGS. 1-3 .

The apparatus 10 may also preferably comprise a mechanism separating the non-driven roller 14 B from the driven roller 14 A.

The apparatus 10 may also preferably comprise a means (not shown) for coordinating the mechanism pressing the non-driven roller 14 B against the driven roller 14 A and the mechanism separating the non-driven roller 14 B from the driven roller 14 A whereby the resultant pressure between the non-driven roller 14 B and the driven roller 14 A can be varied. The means for coordinating may be any programmable means such as a digital computer or a PLC.

Preferably, the mechanism pressing the non-driven roller 14 B against the driven roller 14 A and the mechanism separating the non-driven roller 14 B from the driven roller 14 A are driven by air pressure, and the air pressure is varied through regulators (not shown) to control air cylinders. It should be noted that a single air cylinder may be used to control both the mechanism pressing the non-driven roller 14 B against the driven roller 14 A and the mechanism separating the non-driven roller 14 B from the driven roller 14 A separating the non-driven roller 14 B from the driven roller 14 A.

Preferably, the second roller pair 14 is geared to rotate a speed somewhat faster than the rotational speed of the first roller pair 12 , which provides a way of stretching the film F to enhance the cutting action of the rotating blade 20 . The second roller pair 14 may rotate 1% to 5% faster. Most preferably, the second roller pair 14 is geared to rotate about 3.6 % faster than the first roller pair 12 .

Operation of the apparatus 10 and a description of the method will now be described, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 .

Optionally, the tension on the film F being fed into the first roller pair 12 may be increased to pre-stretch and flatten the film F. For example, this may be done by dancer bars (which are illustrated in the Struges patent).

The film F enters the first roller pair 12 . The mechanism in the preferred form of air nozzles 16 then directs a stream of air against the leading edge E of the film, guiding the leading edge E into the second roller pair 14 .

The air pressure applied to the second roller pair 14 is varied during each cutting cycle. Pressurized air is supplied to the air cylinders controlling the force exerted to hold the non-driven roller 14 B against the driven roller 14 A. At the start of the cycle, the air pressure forcing the second pair of rollers 14 together (down pressure) is slightly more than the pressure that would move the second pair of rollers 14 apart (up pressure). This balance of air pressures allows the second pair of rollers 14 to grip the film surface and feed film F received from the first pair of rollers 12 into the wrapping area W without allowing any slack to develop in the film F.

Because the second pair of rollers 14 rotate faster than the first pair of rollers 12 , the film F slips on the surface of the driven roller 14 A. Prior to cutting the film F, the up pressure on the roller 14 B is reduced to zero. This eliminates the slippage between the film F and the driven roller 14 A. The film F is pulled taut prior to being cut by the rotating blade 20 . As the film F is cut and begins to separate, the up pressure to roller 14 B is re-applied. This reduces film tension and minimizes film “snap back.” This enhances the ability of the air nozzles 16 to guide the film leading edge E into the second pair of rollers 14 for the next cutting cycle.

The rotating blade 20 is positioned just above the film F and between the pairs of rollers 12 and 14 . The rotating blade 20 is mounted on a knife shaft 20 A that rotates in the same direction as the film travel. A clutch 20 B is mounted on the knife shaft 20 A. When the clutch 20 B engages, the rotating blade 20 swings in an arc, contacting and cutting the film F.

A shear deck 26 is positioned between the first pair of rollers 12 and the rotating blade 20 and just outside the knife arc. This shear deck 26 provides a shear point to enhance the cutting action of the rotating blade 20 .

After the film F is cut, the leading edge E of the cut film is directed and supported by streams of air from air nozzles 16 located in the shear deck 26 . These air nozzles 16 are aligned with relief grooves 27 in the downstream driven roller 14 A and, as relief grooves 27 in the downstream drive roller 14 A are aligned with the relief grooves 27 in the upstream driven roller 12 A, with the relief grooves 27 in the upstream driven roller 12 A. The air stream flowing from each nozzle 16 and through a relief groove 27 creates a venturi effect. This venturi effect at each relief groove 27 aids in directing the leading edge of the film F between the downstream rollers 14 A and 14 B.

An air guiding mechanism 30 mounted downstream of the second pair of rollers 14 guides the film leading edge into the proper position for wrapping around the product.

Preferably, the pairs of rollers 12 and 14 are supported at intermediate points along their length by supports 28 , thus preventing deflection. This is important in order to allow very light weight rollers to be used to reduce inertia.

A second embodiment of the present invention is generally shown in the Figures as reference numeral 110 . The same elements of the first embodiment have the same reference number in the second embodiment with the addition of 100 . This embodiment uses a single roller pair with a serrated cutting blade, rather than two roller pairs.

The apparatus 110 comprises a first roller pair 112 adapted to receive the film F from its roll (not shown) and to carry the film F away from the roll. The apparatus 110 further comprises a rotating blade 120 adapted to cut the film F as the film F exits the first roller pair 112 , thereby producing a cut sheet of film. The rotating blade 120 has serrated teeth 120 a . As best seen in FIG. 11 , the serrated teeth 120 a mesh with second serrated teeth 121 a on shear deck 121 , cutting the film F between the two sets of teeth 120 a , 121 a and, preventing film snap-back.

The first roller pair 112 may also comprise a driven roller 112 a and a non-driven roller 112 b . The driven roller 112 a is preferably belt driven by a servomotor 123 ( FIG. 9 ). The driven roller 112 a includes relief grooves 127 . The first roller pair 112 preferably has the non-driven roller 112 b pressed against the driven roller 112 a by air pressure provided by cylinder 124 . This air pressure can be set by the operator to allow easy feeding of film F into the first roller pair 112 , depending on the thickness and quality of the film F.

Operation of the apparatus 110 and a description of the method will now be described, referring to FIGS. 6-12 .

Optionally, the tension on the film F being fed into the first roller pair 112 may be increased to pre-stretch and flatten the film F. For example, this may be done by dancer bars (which are illustrated in the Struges patent). However, the use of the interleaved teeth 120 a , 121 a to cut the film F substantially eliminates the need to keep tension on the film F.

The film F enters the first roller pair 112 , then is fed by the first roller pair 112 across the shear deck 121 . The film F is pulled taut prior to being cut by the rotating blade 120 . As the teeth 120 a mesh with the teeth 121 a , the film F is cut cleanly without snapback.

The rotating blade 120 is positioned just above the film F and downstream the first pair of rollers 112 . The rotating blade 120 is mounted on a knife shaft 120 b that rotates in the same direction as the film travel. A clutch (not shown) may be used to connect the knife shaft 120 b to a source of power. When the clutch engages, the rotating blade 120 swings in an arc, contacting and cutting the film F. Alternatively, the knife shaft 120 b may be driven by a servomotor 125 , suitably by a belt 126 ( FIG. 7 ).

As in the first embodiment, after the film F is cut, the leading edge E of the cut film is directed and supported by streams of air from air nozzles 116 located in the shear deck 121 . These air nozzles 116 are aligned with relief grooves 127 in the upstream driven roller 112 A. The air stream flowing from each nozzle 116 and through a relief groove 127 creates a venturi effect. This venturi effect at each relief groove 127 aids in directing the leading edge of the film F onto the discharge deck 32 .

Eliminating the need for a second pair of rollers to receive the leading edge of the cut film prevents folding over of the leading edge by the second pair of rollers. However, in some cases a second roller pair may be used, and such is considered to be within the scope of the present application.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.